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Do you have sports fans on your holiday shopping list? Do you ever struggle to find the perfect gift for them? I know I do! I’m always on the lookout for unique sports related gifts. So, I’ve put together a list of my favorite gift ideas for sports fans that are sure to be a hit.
These gifts embrace the love of sports in unique and unforgettable ways. Your favorite sports fans will love everything on this list!
Gift Idea #1: Tickets to an Away Game
First on my list of gift ideas for sports fans is tickets to an away game. Instead of giving your favorite sports fan tickets to a home game, which they may expect, surprise them with tickets to an away game.
Look at the schedule of their favorite team and find an away game in a fun or nearby city that works with their schedule. Buy the tickets, and then they can plan a weekend getaway around the game. (See my ultimate guide to sports travel for tips on planning your trip.)
Gift Idea #2: Tickets to a Playoff Game
Want to receive the loudest cheers on Christmas morning? Give the sports fan in your life tickets to a playoff (or bowl) game.
This is the ultimate gift for a sports lover! And there is no better way to start off the new year than by cheering on your team in a playoff game.
If your loved one is a fan of college basketball or baseball, they will love seeing the Final Four or the College World Series, regardless of who’s playing.
Check out our tips for getting tickets to the big game for help with this.
Gift Idea #3: Trip to Training Camp
If your loved one prefers baseball, give them a trip to spring training. I guarantee they will love receiving a trip to Arizona or Florida in February to soak up some warm weather and watch their beloved team gear up for the season.
This would make a great father/son trip. My husband and son are both dying to go to spring training.
Gift Idea #4: Stadium Tour
Next on my list of unique gift ideas for sports fans is a stadium tour.
Most professional sports stadiums offer guided tours when the teams are not at home. So, plan to take your loved one on a tour of their favorite team’s stadium, or take them to see one of the historic and iconic stadiums around the country.
On our honeymoon, I took my husband to tour Fenway Park in Boston, and he loved it! We went back several years later with our son for another tour.
Gift Idea #5: Fantasy Camp
Did you know that there are fantasy sports camps for adults? Grown men and women can live out their dreams of being college or professional athletes, even if they are way past their prime.
You can find fantasy camps in basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, and auto racing, just to name a few. Most get retired players and coaches to coach campers. Talk about making dreams come true!
The University of Notre Dame offers a 4-day football fantasy camp. Most Major League Baseball teams offer fantasy baseball camps. Some of them even include a a full personalized uniform and a chance to watch a game from a luxury suite.
Your sports fan will love you forever after receiving this gift! Fantasy sports camps usually start at around $1000 and go up from there.
Gift Idea #6: Trip to Hall of Fame
Prefer a gift with a cheaper price tag? Take your sports fan to see the hall of fame of their favorite sport. All major professional sports have a hall of fame that can be toured. Additionally, you can visit the college football hall of fame.
For many sports fans, a trip to visit the hall of fame is an iconic experience that lets them travel back through the history of the sport. You definitely can’t go wrong with this one!
Gift Idea #7: Go Watch Olympic Trials
Have an Olympic sports fan on your holiday shopping list? Why not give them a trip to watch the Olympic trials?
This is a sporting event like no other. The only thing better would be to watch the Olympics themselves!
I can’t imagine how exciting it must be to watch all the Olympic hopefuls fighting for their chance to make the team!
If you can’t manage a trip to watch the trials, consider taking your loved one to visit the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
For more ideas for watching Olympic sports, see my list of tips for Olympics inspired sports travel.
Gift Idea #8: Check out a New Sport
If you have an all-around sports fan in the family, plan a trip for them to check out a new sport.
A few years ago, my son discovered rugby while watching the 2016 Olympics. We took him to Fiji to watch the Fijian national rugby team play the next year. It was an amazing trip! My son and husband both loved watching a sport they had previously not seen.
This is also a great way to introduce your sports fans to a new sport.
Gift Idea #9: Meet a Favorite Player
Last on my list of gift ideas for sports fans is to arrange for them to meet their favorite player. Many professional athletes make public appearances where they sign autographs and take pictures with fans.
Many college teams have “meet the fans” days where their players will sign autographs. Do some research and find where your loved one’s favorite player will be appearing and take them.
If the appearance will not be in your hometown, turn it into a mini vacation. This will be a very memorable moment for your special fan.
Conclusion
Sports fans can sometimes be hard people to shop for. It can be a struggle to give them something that thrills them. These gift ideas for sports fans will help you come up with a cool and unique gift that they will cherish forever.
For more help with your holiday shopping, check out my gift ideas for travel loving kids, beach lovers, Disney fans, and travel lovers. Also see my list of unique gifts inspired by travel, how to give experiences instead of stuff, and how to give the gift of travel.
Happy travels!
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